Real ID Deadline In GA Delayed A Year By Coronavirus Closings

Deb Belt
·3 min read

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Patch

GEORGIA — Just as leaders in Georgia were fretting that residents wouldn't meet the Real ID deadline to have driver's licenses and state IDs meet federal security standards, the new coronavirus outbreak stepped in. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security said that the new date to be compliant is a year later: October 1, 2021.

“The federal, state and local response to the spread of the coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline," said Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf in a news release. "Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID.”

You'll need the new ID, with a star in a circle in the upper right corner, if you plan to fly or enter any military base or federal building as of Oct. 1, 2021. Real IDs will be needed to board a domestic commercial flight as of Oct. 1, unless you have a valid passport or military ID card. Already some military bases may no longer accept non-Real ID compliant credentials which display "Federal Limits Apply."

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Still, many residents continue to have questions about the law's requirements.

Georgia's Department of Driver Services has been issuing the new ID since 2012. Still, many residents continue to have questions about the law's requirements.

Here are seven common Real ID questions answered:

Do I have to get a Real ID?
No. Real IDs are optional. If you have a passport, you can use that form of identification to board flights and obtain entry into federal facilities. Real IDs are not required to drive in Georgia.

Do I need a REAL ID to vote?
No. You do not need a Real ID to vote.

How and where do I get a REAL ID?
Most license services can be performed using DDS Online Services or by downloading the DDS 2 GO Mobile App without visiting a Center. Check to see if you're eligible.

If you don't have a Real ID License/ID or you hold an out of state or license you must visit a Customer Service Center and bring proof of all identification documents.

What documents do I need?
Obtaining a Real ID requires the following:

  • One proof of identity

  • One proof of legal presence

  • Two proofs of Georgia residency

  • One proof of Social Security number

  • Current driver's license, if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state, territory or jurisdiction

  • If proof documents contain different names (for example, if the last name on a birth certificate is different than the name on a payroll check stub), it's necessary to supply documents showing proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order.

View the complete list of Real ID Documents.

How much does it cost?
There will be no changes in the current fees. Click here to see the current DL and ID fees.

Can minors get a REAL ID?
Yes, Real ID-compliant versions are available for minors. The documents required to get an initial learner's permit, driver's license or photo ID card (birth certificate or passport, Social Security card and two proofs of residency) are the same documents that are required to opt into Real ID.

Does my child need a REAL ID to board an airplane?
The TSA does not currently require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States.